FBC chief criticized for ideologically biased comments

By Jun Ji-hye

The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) went all out over the weekend to criticize the chairman of the Foundation for Broadcast Culture (FBC), the majority shareholder in the public broadcaster MBC, for making ideologically biased comments against the NPAD chairman.

The NPAD Chairman Moon Jae-in said Saturday that FBC Chairman Ko Young-joo was ultraconservative and referred to him as an “internal enemy” who threatens democratic society.

The criticism came after Ko said he was sure that Moon was a “communist” during an audit session of the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Future Planning, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, Friday.

Ko first made such a comment in 2013 at an open forum at which he said, “I am sure that the nation would be communized if Moon became president because he is a communist.”

During an audit session, Rep. Jun Byung-hun of the NPAD asked Ko whether it was true that he called Moon a communist. Ko answered: “I did not say Moon was a communist. But I just said I was sure that Moon was a communist.”

Opposition lawmakers said Ko’s answer was nothing but a joke and walked out of the session.

Rep. Woo Sang-ho said Ko denied and insulted the entire opposition party.

When asked about whether he intends to make an apology to Moon, Ko said his belief cannot be changed.

Chairman Moon said, “Ko labeled not only me but also a lot of people as communists. The real problem is that the Park Geun-hye government appointed many people like Ko.”

The NPAD urged Ko to voluntarily resign from the position and the Park Guen-hye government to apologize.

The FBC is the MBC’s largest shareholder with its nine directors recommended by the ruling and opposition parties at a ratio of 2:1. These directors appoint the CEO.

Follow Jun Ji-hye on Twitter @TheKopJihye